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How To Stop Nose Bleeds In Children

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The nose is very vascular, with a rich supply of blood vessels. The mucosa membrane covering the blood vessels is thin and easily traumatised, exposing underlying blood vessels which can be torn.

90% of nose bleeds are anterior and capillary blood vessel origin, thus a slow ooze. Back of the nose bleeds are more often arterial in origin, and can be profuse and harder to stop.

Causes

The risk of bleeding is increased when there is a flu or nose infection, dry air, violent sneezing or rubbing of the nose in allergic rhinitis, and crooked nasal bone.

Patients in pregnancy, with hypertension and hardening of the blood vessels (atherosclerosis), and on blood thinner medication (eg warfarin, Plavix, aspirin and non-steroidal anti inflammation, ginko and vitamin E drugs) are more prone.

Snorting of cocaine, tumors, blood coagulation disorders are rarer causes. However, as nose cancer is relatively common in Singapore, recurrent nose bleeds in adults should be investigated.

The most common cause of nose bleeds in Singapore is allergic rhinitis and nose infections which lead to nose picking and violent sneezing. Travel overseas to dry and low humidity countries is also common.

Treatment

One should be concerned if a baby has nose bleed, if the bleeding is large volume, rapid and not stopped by simple nose pressure, or from significant head trauma. Also if recurrent or with headache, infections, neck lumps or ear blocks.